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At about 3:30 p.m., DEA agents began raiding a medical-marijuana dispensary in San Francisco, several witnesses say. Agents continue to detain people inside Emmalyn's California Cannabis Clinic.

The San Francisco Cannabis Clubs website reports, "The DEA is claiming Emmalyn's has violated both state and federal law, but remain hushed about the specific allegations."

Attorney General Eric Holder vowed last week to stop raids on medical marijuana dispensaries—a common practice under the Bush Administration—as long as a dispensary operated within state guidelines.

"There is no indication that the dispensary was in violation of state law," says Kris Hermes, a spokesman for Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a medical-pot advocacy group in California. He points out the City of San Francisco issued the club a provisional permit to operate. It has been in business, apparently in compliance with state law, since 2006. California law says that patients must have an authorization from their physician to possess marijuana, and recent rules say dispensaries must operate as not-for-profit collectives.

The bust suggests that either the DEA is sidestepping the Obama Administration, or the Obama Administration itself is establishing a new interpretation of California law.

"If there is any indication that these facilities have been in violation of state law, local law enforcement or state law enforcement should be determining whether a violation has taken place," Hermes says. Furthermore, he points out, "Violations of state law are never going to [be prosecuted] in federal court."

A couple hours ago, ASA reportedly contacted the San Francisco Police Department, which said it had no part in the raid.

Thanks to Slog tipper Carrie.